5 Creative Tactics for Incubating Incoming Leads

In today's world, an online presence is key. There are plenty of options to choose from: Facebook, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Twitter, and often even your own personal blog. It can be overwhelming, and even if it's done right, even if all your hard work turns people to contacting you it could still mean that they are months away from the final deal that will be made.

It takes time between the initial contact and when your potential client is ready to either list their own home on the market or start house hunting for a new one. This time will allow you to strengthen your relationship with these new or prospective clients. There are ways to keep them involved, even if they're not quite ready to jump all the way in yet.

One thing you can do for someone that is looking at a specific neighborhood, or at least looking for the right fit between several, is to gather information about everything in the area. Talk to local vendors, see if they're willing to let you take a short video, and collect information about the area in a way that you can show them. It's also great for your blog.

Some agents' goal for the new year is to handle at least one side of most of the transactions in a particular neighborhood. To do this, you need to know everything there is to know about that neighborhood. Emailed newsletters and postcards are a great way to provide an update for the market, but there are other ways to go about it as well. Linking out to new shops and local news and happenings, create a slideshow of the newest and best listings in that neighborhood, showcase quirky features, and follow trends in the area are just a few ways to think outside the box.

Holding office hours in a relaxed location such as a coffee house can open up opportunities. You might be surprised how many people will drop by and take you up on your offer, asking questions that range all across the board. It's a great way to stay in touch with those that you've helped find homes, which will often turn into sellers a handful number of years later.